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noun

tarn

tahn

Tarn (noun) means a small mountain lake, especially one formed in a hollow left by a glacier. Example: “They hiked up to a tarn tucked below the ridge.”

noun
1
A small mountain lake, especially one formed in a hollow left by a glacier.
"They hiked up to a tarn tucked below the ridge."
"The tarn was still and dark under the cliffs."

How to use tarn

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA small lake high up in the mountains, common in words describing UK landscapes like the Lake District.

Common pairings
mountain tarn glacial tarn

Word forms

tarns plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They hiked up to a _____ tucked below the ridge.

Etymology

From Old Norse tjǫrn, meaning a small lake with no streams feeding into it.

Origin: Old Norse

Rhymes for tarn

See all rhymes for tarn →

Frequently asked questions

What does “tarn” mean?

The word “tarn” means a small mountain lake, especially one formed in a hollow left by a glacier. In plain terms, a small lake high up in the mountains, common in words describing UK landscapes like the Lake District.

How do you pronounce “tarn”?

“Tarn” is pronounced tahn (/tɑɹn/ in IPA).

How do you use “tarn” in a sentence?

Here is “tarn” used in a sentence: “They hiked up to a tarn tucked below the ridge.”

What part of speech is “tarn”?

“Tarn” is a noun.

Where does the word “tarn” come from?

The word “tarn” comes from Old Norse. From Old Norse tjǫrn, meaning a small lake with no streams feeding into it.

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